What Size TV Should You Buy Based On Your Space and Budget?

When looking for a new TV, one crucial thing to consider is the size of your room. Buy a TV that is too big and seeing the whole picture without straining your eyes will be close to impossible. Go for one that is too small and the constant squinting may lead to headaches and eye fatigue.

So, what’s the first step to choosing just the right TV size for your bedroom, lounge or kitchen?

The secret is in measuring your viewing distance, meaning how far from the screen you’ll be sitting. Based on this, you can find the best TV size for your space by dividing the viewing distance by two:

Keep in mind that these recommendations are just that – recommendations – and that there is certainly a bit of wiggle room. Use the table above as a starting point for your TV hunt, but know that going a couple of inches off with your chosen TV size shouldn’t impact your viewing experience too much!

Screen resolution is another factor to consider when picking the best TV size for your space, particularly if you’re shopping for a larger television. 

So, first things first, what does ‘screen resolution’ mean? Put simply, it refers to the number of pixels a screen can display vertically and horizontally. For a long time, full HD was the industry standard, but as new (and larger) TV models come out, other resolutions have become available.

1080p HD or Full HD TVs have a grid of 1920 horizontal pixels by 1080 vertical pixels. Although availability can be limited, this is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable TV but don’t want to compromise on image quality too much.

4K is, nowadays, the most popular TV screen resolution. Boasting more than 8 million pixels (3840x2160), 4K Ultra HD TVs are capable of showing a lot of detail, with a high level of sharpness and depth for a more immersive experience. Keep in mind, however, that this resolution does work best on larger screens. 

8K TVs have slowly but surely been gaining popularity and for good reason, as they provide the crispiest, clearest image quality (we’re talking, home cinema quality). They are expensive compared to Full HD and 4K TVs and the amount of 8K content available on the market is still quite limited, so keep that in mind when shopping for your new TV.

Once you know the best TV size for your space and the right screen resolution for your desired experience, it’s time to consider which display technology is best for you.

There are two main types of TV technologies to choose from:

LED/LCD display panels are the most affordable option. They typically provide the best light input, which translates to a higher level of brightness that is ideal if the sun is shining through the window while you’re watching TV. On the opposite side of the coin, the black levels on LED/LCD TVs can leave a lot to be desired, meaning that black areas on the screen don’t always look completely black.

OLED displays are the right choice for you if you want the contrast ratio on the screen to be as high as possible. OLED TVs use a layer of organic LED lights to create the clearest definitions of contrast and the absolute black tones that are lacking with an LED display. Although more expensive than LED/LCD displays, the average price point of OLED TVs has been dropping over the years, so you might just find one that suits your budget!

HDMI and other inputs. Before making your purchase, have a look at the back of the TV and confirm there are enough HDMI plugs. This is particularly important if you’re going for a cheaper or smaller size TV, as manufacturers can sometimes lower costs by including fewer inputs.

Refresh rate, meaning how many times per second a screen is able to refresh itself and show a new image. Nowadays, most TVs have a refresh rate of 60Hz or 120Hz and although the latter typically provides a faster response time, both options are able to create a smooth viewing experience.

Gaming features. This one is a bit more specific, but if you’re a gamer, you know that certain features in a TV are simply non-negotiable. A refresh rate of 120Hz, good responsiveness and high-end connectivity options are three things to look for. An extra HDMI port or two wouldn’t go astray either!

Sound quality. In order to enjoy the most immersive viewing experience, the audio quality of your TV needs to be rich and balanced. Depending on what type and size TV you buy, it may not have the best sound equipment built-in but that’s nothing a good soundbar can’t fix!

Now that you know how to choose a TV size, screen resolution and display technology, you can start comparing your options until you find just the right one! Check out our range of TVs and TV accessories, and get everything you need for the best at-home viewing experience.